The Answer for the Iraq War is "Operation: 50 Cent"

While American President George W. Bush announced several new initiatives for the troupes in Iraq, opposition to the war continues to be strong from the Democrats.

Bush's announcement today included shortening the troop combat tours to 12 months from the current 15 months, as well as supporting Gen. David Petraeus' plan of holding military personnel levels as they stand for the next 45 days. The President was quoted as saying, "I've told him he'll have all the time he needs."

On the other side of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "The president has taken us into a failed war. He's taken us deeply into debt. And ... that debt is taking us into recession."

Ms. Pelosi's view on the success of the Iraqi war is, of course, up for debate. It will remain subjective until/unless a definition of "success" is agreed upon. Somewhat more objective are her remarks regarding the cost of the war and the present economic difficulties facing the U.S. This journalist is not implying that the costs incurred as a result of the operations in Iraq are solely responsible for the economic downturn we are now facing. Such a suggestion would be blatantly erroneous. But there is little question that expenditures incurred during the length of the conflict (some conservative estimates believe that the total costs could reach $400 billion by the time it's over) have not helped to ease the economic crunch that we now find ourselves in.

But every cloud has a silver lining. And when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. I present to you a simple plan that could end the war and help the economy at the same time. I call this modest proposal "Operation: 50 Cent". The concept is as follows:

Go into the inner cities and gather their entire populations. This is where poor people live. Poor people cannot help us spend our way out of this economic slump. In fact, poor people require assistance from the government. Therefore, getting rid of the less affluent puts us ahead financially. Take these inner city dwellers and transplant them in Iraq. I have, of course, considered the fact that most of the armed forces are made up of such people. But those who could not join because of medical reasons, or for flunking out of basic training, or even those who didn't sign on for service - those people would get to show their true patriotic spirit by leaving the country.

The inner city is also home to an almost infinate number of nar-do-wells. Gangs will be given the biggest guns imaginable. Collateral damage will be encouraged. East Coast/ West Coast rivalries will be accentuated, as will all other animosities (Crips/Bloods etc.). We send Iraq the product of over two hundred years of the "Second Amendment". The insurgents won't know what hit them. Our streets become safer - and so would theirs.

I submit "Operation: 50 Cent" for public consideration. I ask for nothing in return. I'm just proud to do my part as a patriot, economist and social engineer. Let freedom ring.